Electrical panelboard guard

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a panelboard guard assembly configured to restrict access to a panelboard having a cover and a door defined therein, the cover having first and second side edges. The panelboard guard assembly includes a first strap, a second strap and an adjusting mechanism. The first strap has a first outer end and a first inner end. The second strap has a second outer end and a second inner end. The adjusting mechanism extends between and couples the first strap and the second strap at the first and second inner ends.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to and the benefit under 35U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/602,436,which was filed on Feb. 23, 2012, and is entitled Electrical PanelboardGuard. The contents of the above-mentioned patent application is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to panelboards and, more particularly,devices and methods for securing panelboard guards.

BACKGROUND

Lockout and tag-out is a safety process maintenance personnel arerequired to follow to ensure electrical maintenance safety. A number ofprocedures outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA) are designed to prevent an unexpected startup of electricalmachinery or equipment during maintenance and repairs. One such safetyregulation requires access to circuit breakers and panelboards becontrolled by electricians working on circuitry or equipment. Currentlythis is accomplished by a number of different methods. For example,locks are provided on de-energized or turned off circuit breakers orde-energized circuit breakers are tagged and then access to panelboardsis controlled by simply locking panelboards or doors to electricalclosets, rooms or areas where panelboards are located.

However, all of these methods present a number of challenges. To beginwith, the use of breaker locks, which are usually supplied by a thirdparty, requires that such locks be built specifically for the breakersbeing locked. Because of the extremely numerous breaker designs thathave been employed in facilities over the years, it is often notfeasible to have a stock of the vast variety of breaker lockouts onhand, especially in any amount.

As the design of the circuit breakers change, a portion of these circuitbreakers become obsolete. Also, new or unknown lockout requirementarise. Whether faced with obsolescence or new or unknown lockoutrequirements, procuring a specific breaker lockout will still berequired, which often takes a significant amount of time even if theneeded lock is available at all. Furthermore, the breaker lock-outs areoften costly and not very durable.

Although the panelboards are typically provided with a locking handle ora latch, the same key is often supplied by each manufacturer for theirparticular line of panelboards. In a large commercial building settingin which hundreds of panels are located, hundreds of sets of identicalkeys may be available to a host of individuals, thereby makingcontrolling of the access to the panelboards very difficult. Also,because each panelboard typically comes with only a single keyed latch,the use of a multiple user lockout or tag-out hasps, such as thoserequired in crew or multi-discipline scenarios, is not possible. Whilecontrolling access to electrical closets, rooms or areas withpanelboards is yet another option for limiting access to a panelboard,such control is becoming more of an issue as building management orsecurity personnel are becoming more reluctant to relinquish keys intoday's heightened security environment. Also, ensuring that allpersonnel follow instituted procedures for locking out these areas isoften difficult.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a device for, and a method of,locking panelboards easily and securely to ensure compliance with safetyregulations.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a panelboard guard assembly configured to restrictaccess to a panelboard having a cover and a door defined therein, thecover having first and second side edges. In one embodiment, thepanelboard guard assembly includes a first strap, a second strap and anadjusting mechanism. The first strap has a first outer end and a firstinner end. The second strap has a second outer end and a second innerend. The adjusting mechanism extends between and couples the first strapand the second strap at the first and second inner ends.

Depending on the embodiment, the first strap may further include a firstattachment structure at the first outer end, the first attachmentstructure being configured to attach the first strap to the panelboardcover. Similarly, the second strap may further include a secondattachment structure at the second outer end, the second attachmentstructure being configured to attach the second strap to the panelboardcover. The first and the second attachment structures may each beconfigured to respectively engage the first and second side edges of thepanelboard cover.

Depending on the embodiment, the first and second attachment structureseach define a respective gap configured to receive therein at least aportion of the panelboard cover. Depending on the embodiment, the firstand second attachment structures each include a structure configured toextend underneath the panelboard cover at the respective side edge. Sucha structure configured to extend underneath the panelboard cover may beformed of an electrically nonconductive material. Additionally oralternatively, such a structure configured to extend underneath thecover may include a notch defined therein, thereby allowing the strapsto be located over the head of a panelboard cover screw, the shaft ofthe screw being received in the notch.

Depending on the embodiment, the structure configured to extendunderneath the cover is a wrap around mounting structure. The wraparound mounting structure has an L-shaped member having a short portionand a long portion. The short portion of the L-shaped member isinterposed between a first wall and a second wall of the respectivestrap. The L-shaped member may be constructed from a non-conductivematerial.

Depending on the embodiment, the adjusting mechanism includes a threadedshaft. The adjusting mechanism is rotatably coupled to the first innerend and threadably coupled to the second inner end. Rotating theadjusting mechanism in a first direction decreases the overall length ofthe assembly and rotating the adjusting mechanism in a second directionopposite the first direction increases the overall length.

Depending on the embodiment, the adjusting mechanism includes an endconfigured to couple with at least one of a safety lockout padlock or asafety lockout hasp. For example, the end of the adjusting mechanism mayinclude an eyebolt hole through which the at least one of a safetylockout padlock or a safety lockout hasp can extend. The first strap maybe configured such that the at least one of a safety lockout padlock ora safety lockout hasp extends around a portion of the first strap whilebeing coupled to the end of the adjusting mechanism.

Depending on the embodiment, the adjusting mechanism may include a shaftwith a series of holes located along the shaft and spaced apart fromeach other in an incremental arrangement. The holes may be sized suchthat at least one of a safety lockout padlock or a safety lockout haspcan extend through the holes.

Disclosed herein is a method for restricting access to a panelboard. Inone embodiment, the method includes: securing a first outer end of afirst strap of a panelboard guard assembly to a first edge of a cover ofthe panelboard; securing a second outer end of a second strap of thepanelboard guard assembly to a second edge of a cover of the panelboard,the panelboard guard assembly extending across an access door defined inthe cover of the panelboard; coupling a first inner end of the firststrap to a second inner end of the second strap via an adjustmentmechanism coupled to both inner ends; and adjusting the adjustmentmechanism to substantially remove slack in the panelboard guard assemblyextending across the access door followed by locking the adjustmentmechanism via a safety lockout mechanism.

Depending on the embodiment, the lockout mechanism is at least one of asafety lockout padlock or a safety lockout hasp. The securing the outerends to the respective edges may include extending a portion of theouter ends behind the panelboard cover at the edges.

Depending on the embodiment, the adjusting the adjustment mechanism tosubstantially remove slack in the panelboard guard assembly may includerotating the adjustment mechanism relative to the second strap.Alternatively, the adjusting the adjustment mechanism to substantiallyremove slack in the panelboard guard assembly may include sliding theadjustment mechanism relative to the second strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a panelboard guard assembly.

FIG. 2A is an enlarged side view of a first strap of the panelboardguard assembly.

FIG. 2B is an enlarged top plan view of the first strap of thepanelboard guard assembly.

FIGS. 2C and 2D are enlarged end views of an outer and inner ends of thefirst strap.

FIG. 2E is an enlarged isometric view of an L-shaped member according toone embodiment.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged side view of a second trap of the panelboardguard assembly.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged top plan view of the second strap of thepanelboard guard assembly.

FIG. 3C is an enlarged end view of a inner end of the second strap.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of an adjusting mechanism.

FIGS. 5A-5C are perspective views of the panelboard guard assemblysecured to a panelboard with different lockout and tag-out devices.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a panelboard guard assembly employing anothertype of adjusting mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the panelboard guard assembly secured toa panelboard via an alternative method.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the panelboard guard assembly withpivotable end members and an alternative configuration for the firststrap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A panelboard guard assembly is disclosed herein. The panelboard guardassembly 10 is designed such that a lockout process can be simplifiedand some of the challenges faced with the prior art devices and methodscan be overcome. Specifically, in one embodiment, the panelboard guardassembly 10 is configured so as to be capable of being applied to most,if not all, panelboards for lockout purposes.

As discussed in detail below, in one embodiment, the panelboard guardassembly 10 is a locking strap assembly intended to enable the use ofindustry standard lockout or tag-out devices on existing commercialpanelboard covers. In particular, the panelboard guard assemblydisclosed includes a pair of adjacent straps 20 and 30 coupled togetherby an adjusting mechanism 40. The adjusting mechanism 40, which allows auser to adjust the length of the panelboard guard 10 to the width of apanelboard or cover on which it is to be secured, includes an aperture44 or other feature at one end for accepting personal protectiveequipment (PPE) locking mechanisms.

For a detailed discussion of a first embodiment of the panelboard guardassembly 10, reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a side view ofthe panelboard guard assembly. As shown in FIG. 1, the panelboard guardassembly 10 includes a pair of adjacent straps 20 and 30 coupledtogether in an end-to-end arrangement by an adjusting mechanism 40. Thepanelboard guard has a first end 12 and a second end 14 opposite andspaced apart from the first end. The straps 20 and 30, which, in oneembodiment, are essentially of the same length, are further defined byan outer first ends 22, 32 and inner second ends 24, 34. The outer firstend 22 of the strap 20 corresponds to the first end 12 of the panelboardguard assembly 10. The inner second end 24 of the strap 20 is locatedopposite and spaced apart from the outer first end 22. Similarly, thestrap 30 is defined by the outer first end 32, which corresponds to thesecond end 14 of the panelboard guard assembly, and the inner second end34, which is located opposite and spaced apart from the outer first end32.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the adjusting mechanism 40, is located in thecenter of the panelboard guard 10 so as to extend through the innersecond ends 24, 34. Specifically, the adjusting mechanism 40 includes athreaded member 42 that extends between straps 20 and 30 through a pairof apertures 29 and 39 respectively located at the inner second ends 24and 34 of the straps 20 and 30.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are, respectively, enlarged side and top plan views ofthe first strap 20, and FIGS. 3A and 3B are, respectively, enlarged sideand top plan views of the second strap 30. As shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B,the straps 20 and 30 are made from an essentially rectangular shapedmaterial and, once in their final configuration, are substantially ofthe same length. According to one embodiment, the material can be a 16gauge sheet metal. However, it should be understood that any other sheetmetal or materials, such as for example, plastics, fibers, etc., thatare suitable for forming a locking strap assembly as disclosed hereinmay be used.

In one embodiment, the width of the straps can be, for example,approximately 1 inch and the length of the straps can vary in order toaccommodate for differences in panelboard sizes. According to oneembodiment, the length of each strap 20, 30 in its final configurationcan be about 9⅞ inches. Also, because the panelboard guard assembly isdesigned to be used as a safety device it should be easily noticeable.Accordingly, the panelboard guard can be powder coated or painted in acolor such as, for example, yellow. However, any other color that willmake the panelboard guard easy to detect can be used.

The discussion will now turn to the structure of the first strap 20shown in FIGS. 2A-2E. As discussed above, according to one embodimentthe strap 20 can be made from a rectangular shaped strip of material. Asshown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the strap 20 has an outer first end 22 and aninner second end 24 opposite and spaced apart from the outer first end.The strap 20 also includes and a top surface 26 and a bottom 28 surface.The outer first end 22 includes a wrap around mounting structure 220that allows the structure 220 to attach the panelboard guard 10 to thepanelboard cover.

Located at the inner second end 24 of the strap 20 is an integratedvertically extending side wall 202 in which an aperture 29 for acceptinga threaded member 42 of the adjusting mechanism 40 is formed. As shownin FIG. 2C, the aperture 29 is essentially centered in the verticallyextending side wall 202. According to one embodiment, the height of thevertically extending side 202 wall can be approximately 1¼ inches andthe width approximately 1 inch. The centerline of the aperture 29 islocated at approximately ½ inch from both the top edge 207 and side edge209 of the vertically extending side wall 202. The aperture diameter maybe approximately ⅜ inch.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, spaced from the vertically extending sidewall 202 is an inverted U-shaped structure 210 that includes a pair ofvertically extending sidewalls 204 and 206 and an upper wall 208. Inother words, the material from which the strap 20 is constructed isshaped so as to form two adjoining U-shaped structures 210 and 212 thatshare one of the side walls 204. According to one embodiment, the widthof the first U-shape structure 212 or the distance between thevertically extending side wall 202 and vertically extending side wall204 can be approximately equal to 1 inch, and the width of the second,inverted U-shape structure 210, or the distance between the verticallyextending side wall 204 and vertically extending side wall 206 can beapproximately equal to 2 inches.

As indicated in FIGS. 2A and 2D, the wrap around mounting structure 220includes an L-shaped member 222 having a short portion 224 and a longportion 226. The short portion 224 of the L-shaped member is interposedbetween an outer wall 228 and inner wall 230 that form a groove 232 atthe outer second end 22 of the of the strap 20. The long portion 226 ofthe L-shaped member forms a cantilever portion that can be insertedbehind a panelboard cover such that the panelboard cover is received ina gap 280 defined between the opposed surfaces of the strap bottomsurface 28 and the upper surface of the cantilevered portion 226. Withthe panelboard cover so received in the gap 280, the structure 220 canbe said to wrap around the edge region of the panelboard cover when thepanelboard guard is used to secure the panelboard.

The wrap around mounting structure 220 may be formed by appropriatelybending one of the ends of the rectangular material from which the strap20 is constructed so the groove 232 is formed and inserting the shortportion 224 of the L-shaped member into the groove. The cantileverportion is formed by the long portion of the L-shaped member extendingfrom the grove along, and parallel to, the bottom surface 28 of thestrap 20. Because the outer wall 228 of the groove extends below bottomsurface 28 of the strap 20, by flushing the cantilever portion with thebottom of the outer wall of the groove, the gap 280 is defined betweenthe bottom surface 28 of the strap and the cantilever portion into whicha panelboard cover can be inserted. According to one embodiment, theouter wall of the groove can extend approximately ⅛ of an inch below thebottom surface of the strap, which in turn provides approximately a ⅛inch gap 280 into which a panelboard cover can be placed. It should beunderstood, however, that the gap 280 between the bottom surface of thestrap and the cantilevered portion can be modified in order toaccommodate different cover thickness over which the panelboard guard isto be placed.

In some embodiments, the long potion 226 of the L-shaped member 222 isgenerally rectangular in shape and generally continuous along itsextents. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2E, which is an isometric viewof an embodiment of the L-shaped member 222, the long portion 226 mayhave a slot or notch 225 defined therein. Such a notched configurationas illustrated in FIG. 2E is advantageous in those instances when thereis concern the panelboard cover might be removed in an attempt to defeatthe guard assembly 10 by removal of the screws holding the panelboardcover in place to the rest of the panelboard. Specifically, the notch225 in the long portion 226 of the L-shaped member 222 allows the wraparound mounting structure 220 to be centered over a panelboard screwwhen the structure 220 receives the edge of the panelboard cover in thegap 280, the shaft of the screw being received in the notch 225 and thebottom surface 28 extending over the screw head so as to prevent theremoval of the screw when the guard 10 is used to secure the panelboard.

Alternatively, the notch 225 in the long portion 226 of the L-shapedmember 222 can be placed directly behind the screw head located in thefront of the panelboard cover as shown in FIG. 7. More specifically, inthis configuration the panelboard cover is no longer inserted in the gap280 created between the long portion of the L-shaped member and thebottom surface of the strap, but instead the long portion of theL-shaped member is flush against the top surface of the panelboard coverwith the screw shaft placed in the notch 225 and the screw head receivedin the gap 280.

As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2D, the short portion of the L-shapedmember is secured inside the groove by a pair of rivets 234, 236 thatare placed in a set of openings formed in both of the groove definingwalls 228, 230. According to one embodiment, the holes through which therivets are placed are approximately 5/32 inches in diameter, with thecenterline located at approximately ¼ inches from both the top edge 237and the side edge 238 of the groove defining walls. However, it shouldbe understood, that any other form of suitable attachment means can beused to secure the L-shaped member in the groove. As discussed above,because the L-shaped member is meant to wrap around an edge of apanelboard cover and thus might be in contact with electrical componentslocated inside the panelboard, the L-shaped member is preferablyconstructed from an electrically non-conductive material such as, forexample, plastics, polymers, or composites, and can be made from adifferent material than the material from which the strap isconstructed. For example, the straps 20, 30 may be formed of steel,aluminum, plastics, polymers, or composites.

Similarly to the first strap 20, the second strap 30 shown in FIGS.3A-3C can be made from a rectangular shaped strip of material. The strap30 also has an outer first end 32 and an inner second end 34 oppositeand spaced apart from the outer first end. The strap 30 also includes atop surface 36 and bottom surface 38. At the outer first end is locateda wrap around mounting structure 320 similar to the structure 220described above with respect to FIGS. 2A-2E that allows the strap 30 toattach the panelboard guard 10 to the panelboard cover. As shown inFIGS. 3A-3C, at the inner second end 34 is a vertically extending sidewall 302 with an aperture 39 that includes a threaded insert 304 throughwhich the threaded member 42 of the adjusting mechanism 40 canthreadably displace. According to one embodiment, the verticallyextending side wall 302 can be approximately 1¼ inch in height and 1inch in width, with the centerline of the aperture placed atapproximately ½ inch from both the upper edge 306 and side edge 308 ofthe vertically extending side wall. In one embodiment, the threadedinsert 304 is secured in the aperture 39 via an interference fit orwelding.

Now the discussion will turn to the adjusting mechanism 40 located inthe center of the panelboard guard 10. As shown in FIG. 4, which is anenlarged side view of the adjusting mechanism 40, the adjustingmechanism includes a threaded member 42 and an allen nut 46. Thethreaded member, according to one embodiment, can be an eye bolt havinga hole 44 in the handle at one end for accepting PPE locking devices.Accordingly, the hole of the eye bolt is sized such that any of theconventional lockout or tag-out devices can be placed through the hole.The allen nut 46 is attached to the other end of threaded member locatedat the end opposite the hole once the panelboard guard is assembled asshown in FIG. 1. In particular, once the threaded member is insertedthrough the aperture 29 in the side wall 202 of the strap 20 and screwedthrough the threaded rivet 304 in the side wall 302 of the strap 30, theallen nut is fused to the threaded member using such techniques as forexample welding, mechanical crimping, adhesives, etc. in order to ensurethat the panelboard guard cannot be disassembled or tampered with whilethe panelboard guard is being used.

For a discussion of how the above-discussed elements are assembledtogether in the panelboard guard device 10, reference is once again madeto FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the straps 20 and 30 are placed adjacentto each other. More specifically the inner ends 24 and 34 of the straps20 and 30 are placed next to each other in an end to end configuration.The threaded member 42 of the adjusting mechanism 40 is then placedthrough the opening 29 in the vertically extending sidewall 202 of thestrap 20 and threaded through the threaded rivet 304 in the verticallyextending sidewall 302 of the strap 30 with the hole 44 for acceptingthe PPE locking devices located within the first U-shaped structure 212of the strap 20. Orienting the threaded member such that the opening 44is located between the vertically extending sidewalls 202 and 204prevents disassembling or tampering with the panelboard guard once it issecured to a panelboard cover via the wrap around structures 220, 320engaging opposite edges of the panelboard cover and a PPE locking devicesecured through the hole 44. In other words, because the end of thethreaded member with the opening 44 is confined within the firstU-shaped structure 212, once a locking device is placed in the opening44 of the threaded member, the adjusting mechanism 40 can no longer berotated relative to the straps 20, 30 and, as a result, the panelboardguard 10 cannot be disassembled or adjusted with respect to its overalllength. This insures that the panelboard guard can not be inadvertentlyremoved or tampered with.

The discussion will now turn to a method of employing the panelboardguard 10 to secure a panelboard. FIGS. 5A-5C and FIG. 7 are perspectiveviews of a panelboard 500 with a panelboard guard 10 attached to it. Asshown in FIGS. 5A-5C and FIG. 7 a panelboard 500 includes a panelboardcover 502 and panelboard access door 504. The panelboard cover isattached to the panelboard with screws 506. According to one embodiment,the panelboard guard 10 can be placed horizontally across the face ofthe panelboard in an area that will cross and capture the access door504 of the panelboard to be secured. More specifically, the wrap aroundmounting structures 220 and 320 are first wrapped around the outsideedges 508 and 510 of the panelboard cover such that the outside edges508 and 510 are received in the respective gaps 280 of the structures220 and 320 and the straps 20 and 30 are caused to extend across theface of the access door 504 and cover 502 such that the bottom surfaces28 and 38 of the respective straps generally abut the planar surfaces ofthe access door and cover.

It may be deemed beneficial to protect against the guard 10 beingdefeated by the removal of the panelboard cover 502 via removal of thescrews 506. The guard 10 can be mounted on the panelboard 500 in such amanner as to protect against the guard 10 being defeated by removal ofscrews. Specifically, the outside edges 508 and 510 of the panelboardcover can be received in the respective gaps 280 with the straps 20 and30 extending directly over in close proximity to the screw head and thescrew shafts being received in the respective notches 225. With theguard 10 so arranged relative to the screws, the screws cannot berotated outward to any extent that would allow the panelboard cover tobe removed.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, after the screw 506 is loosened, thenotch 225 in the long portion of the L-shaped member can be placedaround the screw shaft such that the long portion of the L-shaped memberis between the top surface of the panelboard cover and the bottomsurface of the screw head.

With the guard 10 so engaged with the panelboard cover, the adjustingmechanism 40 is tightened by threading threaded member 42 through thethreaded insert 304 so as to bring the opposed faces 29 and 39 of therespective straps 20 and 30 closer together, thereby shortening theoverall length of the guard 10 between its opposite ends 12 and 14 inorder to pull the straps 20 and 30. By pulling the straps 20 and 30together in such a manner, the panelboard cover edges 508 and 510 arecaused to be deeply received in the respective wrap around structures220 and 320, thereby preventing the guard 10 from being removed from thepanelboard cover and preventing the panelboard access door from beingopened. In other words, the panelboard guard is secured across thepanelboard by first securing the first and second end 12 and 14 of thepanelboard guard under the outside edges of the panelboard cover usingthe wrap around mounting structures 220 and 320. The straps are thenpulled together by threading the threaded member 42 through the threadedinsert 304 such that the eyebolt opening 44 is caused to move towardsthe threaded member 42, thereby bringing the planar faces 29 and 39towards each other.

As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, once the panelboard guard is securelyattached to the panelboard cover, different types of PPE lockout and ortag-out devices can be used to prevent tampering with or disassemblingof the panelboard guard and thus ensure that the access to thepanelboard and/or the circuit breakers inside the panelboard isrestricted. For example, one such lockout/tagout device can include asimple padlock with a tag 520 as shown in FIG. 5B or a safety lockouthasp 530 for multi-users as shown in FIG. 5C. In either case, thelockout device has a portion that extends through the hole 44 in theeyebolt end of the adjusting mechanism 40 and through both the outwardprojecting U-shaped region 212 and the inward projecting U-shaped region210. Because the lockout device extends through the hole 44 and thefirst strap 20 extends through the lockout device on account of thelockout device also extending through both U-shaped regions 210 and 212,the lockout device cannot be caused to rotate relative to the firststrap 20 and the adjustment mechanism 40 cannot be caused to rotaterelative to the first strap 20 or second strap 30, thereby preventingadjustment of the overall length of the guard 10 and its unapprovedremoval from panelboard cover.

FIGS. 6 and 8 illustrate a design for a panelboard guard assembly 10without the U-shaped regions 210 and 212 on the first strap 20. Thefirst strap 20 is generally flat, with the strap bottom surface 28extending continuously and uniformly from the first outer end 12 to theinner second end 24. As shown in FIG. 8, the first strap 20 includes atab 21 with an aperture 23 for receiving a lockout/tagout device. Thetab 21 is positioned in a general area where the outwardly projectingU-shaped region 212 was located in FIG. 2A. The tab 21 is positionedsubstantially perpendicular to both the top surface 26 and the innersecond end 24 of the first strap 20. The size of the aperture 23 and thelocation of the tab 21 on the first strap 20 is such that a safetylockout padlock 520 or a safety lockout hasp 530 can extend through theaperture 23 and an eyebolt opening 44.

The adjustment mechanism in FIG. 8 includes a threaded member 42 with anopening 44, a fiber washer 41, and a non-threaded rivet nut, bushing orspacer 205 on the first strap 20. The fiber washer 41 mitigates contactbetween the eyebolt portion 44 of the threaded member 42 and thenon-threaded rivet nut 205, and the non-threaded rivet nut provides asmooth bearing surface for the threaded member 42 to rotate. Thenon-threaded rivet nut 205 can be riveted, welded or otherwise fastenedto the inner second end 24 of the first strap 20. On the inner secondend 34 of the second strap 30, the threaded member 42 is threadablyreceived by a threaded insert 304, which can be a threaded rivet orsimilar device. As in FIG. 1 and other figures, the threaded member 42can include an allen nut 46. In the FIG. 8 orientation, when thethreaded member 42 is tightened, the first and the second straps 20 and30 are pulled together. When the threaded member 42 is tightenedsufficiently, so that the panelboard guard 10 is secured across thepanelboard, the safety lockout padlock 520 or hasp 530 can extendthrough the aperture 23 of the tab 21 and the eyebolt opening 44 andlock accordingly. Similarly to embodiments with the U-shaped regions 210and 212, when the lockout device 520 or 530 extends through both theeyebolt opening 44 and a portion of the first strap and is locked, thethreaded member 42 cannot be loosened.

In FIG. 8, the outer ends 12 and 14 include pivotable end members 13 and15 that are pivotably coupled to the straps 20 and 30 by shoulder rivets43. The shoulder rivets 43 allow the end members 13 and 15 to rotatewhile still maintaining a secure connection between the end members andthe straps 20 and 30. Additionally, fiber washers 41 can be used betweenthe straps 20 and 30 and the end members 13 and 15. The pivotable endmembers 13 and 15 include relatively large contact surfaces between theouter ends 12 and 14 and the panelboard 508 and 510. The end members 13and 15 can rotate so that each end member is substantially parallel tothe straps 20 and 30. As a note, the wrap around mounting structures 320and 220 that attach the outer ends 12 and 14 to the panelboard 508 and510 need not be altered when the outer ends include the pivotable endmembers.

The panelboard assembly 10, in FIG. 8, can be straightened for storage,shipping, etc. by rotating the end members so that each is parallel tothe straps 20 and 30, and positioning the straps 20 and 30 parallel toeach other. The end members 13 and 15 can each be secured in theparallel orientation with the straps 20 and 30. Additionally, the pairof straps 20 and 30 with parallel end members 13 and 15 can be securedtogether for ease of handling and shipping. Once the panelboard assembly10 is straightened, as described above, the straps 20 and 30, along withthe parallel oriented end members 13 and 15, can be placed in acontainer for either storage or shipping. The panelboard assembly 10, inFIG. 8, can fit inside a 2.5″×27″ tube for convenient storage orshipping.

To remove the guard 10 from the panelboard cover, the lockout device isremoved from the guard and the above-described installation method isreversed, including reversing the rotation of the threaded member 42relative to the threaded insert 304 such that the distance between thehole 44 and the threaded insert 304 increases. Such rotation of thethreaded member increase the overall length of the guard 10 and allowsthe wrap around structures 220 and 320 to be disengaged from therespective panelboard cover edges 508 and 510, thereby allowing theguard 10 to be removed from the panelboard and the panelboard accessdoor 504 to be opened.

While the discussion given above with respect to FIGS. 1-5C is given inthe context of the guard 10 employing an adjustment mechanism 40 havinga threaded arrangement, in other embodiments, the adjustment mechanism40 may have other arrangements. For example, in one embodiment, theadjustment mechanism 40 may be in the form of a lever operated ratchetmechanism or a cable/pulley operated come-along mechanism. In otherembodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 6, adjustment mechanism 40 may be inthe form of a bolt shaft 600 with a bolt head 602 at one end of theshaft and a series of holes 605 located along the shaft and spaced apartfrom each other in an incremental arrangement. The holes are sized suchthat at least one of a safety lockout padlock 520 or a safety lockouthasp 530 can extend through the holes. Once the outer ends 12 and 14 areattached to the respective edges 508 and 510 of the panelboard cover502, the shaft 600 can be positioned relative to the two inner ends 24and 34 so the overall length of the guard 10 is sufficiently short so asto keep the edges 508 and 510 securely received in the gaps 280 with noslack in the overall length of the guard 10. The padlock 520 or hasp 530can then be passed through the specific hole that is closest to theinner end 34 with the bolt head 602 abutting against the inner end 24,as can be understood from FIG. 6.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A panelboard guard assembly configured torestrict access to a panelboard having a cover and a door definedtherein, the cover having first and second side edges, the panelboardguard assembly comprising: a first strap and a second strap, the firststrap having a first outer end and a first inner end and the secondstrap having a second outer end and a second inner end; and an adjustingmechanism extending between and coupling the first strap and the secondstrap at the first and second inner ends.
 2. The panelboard guardassembly of claim 1, wherein the first strap further comprises a firstattachment structure at the first outer end, the first attachmentstructure configured to attach the first strap to the panelboard cover,and the second strap further comprises a second attachment structure atthe second outer end, the second attachment structure configured toattach the second strap to the panelboard cover.
 3. The panelboard guardassembly of claim 2, wherein the first and the second attachmentstructures are each configured to respectively engage the first andsecond side edges.
 4. The panelboard guard assembly of claim 2, whereinthe first and second attachment structures each define a respective gapconfigured to receive therein at least a portion of the cover.
 5. Thepanelboard guard assembly of claim 2, wherein the first and secondattachment structures are pivotably coupled respectively to the firstouter end of the first strap and the second outer end of the secondstrap.
 6. The panelboard guard assembly of claim 5, wherein the firstand second attachment structures can rotate to a substantially parallelorientation respectively with the first and the second straps.
 7. Thepanelboard guard assembly of claim 2, wherein the first and secondattachment structures each comprise a structure configured to extendunderneath the cover at the respective side edge.
 8. The panelboardguard assembly of claim 7, wherein the structure configured to extendunderneath the cover is formed of an electrically nonconductivematerial.
 9. The panelboard guard assembly of claim 7, wherein thestructure configured to extend underneath the cover includes a notchdefined therein.
 10. The panelboard guard assembly of claim 7, whereinthe structure configured to extend underneath the cover is a wrap aroundmounting structure, the wrap around mounting structure having anL-shaped member having a short portion and a long portion, the shortportion of the L-shaped member interposed between a first wall and asecond wall of the respective strap.
 11. The panelboard guard assemblyof claim 10, wherein the L-shaped member is constructed from anon-conductive material.
 12. The panelboard guard assembly of claim 1,wherein the first strap and the second strap are essentially of the samelength.
 13. The panelboard guard assembly of claim 1, wherein theadjusting mechanism includes a threaded shaft, the adjusting mechanismrotatably coupled to the first inner end and threadably coupled to thesecond inner end.
 14. The panelboard guard assembly of claim 13, whereinthe adjusting mechanism is rotatably coupled to the first inner end witha non-threaded rivet nut.
 15. The panelboard guard assembly of claim 1,wherein rotating the adjusting mechanism in a first direction decreasesthe overall length of the assembly and rotating the adjusting mechanismin a second direction opposite the first direction increases the overalllength.
 16. The panelboard guard assembly of claim 1, wherein theadjusting mechanism includes an end configured to couple with at leastone of a safety lockout padlock or a safety lockout hasp.
 17. Thepanelboard guard assembly of claim 16, wherein the end of the adjustingmechanism includes an eyebolt hole through which the at least one of asafety lockout padlock or a safety lockout hasp can extend.
 18. Thepanelboard guard assembly of claim 16, wherein the first strap isconfigured such that the at least one of a safety lockout padlock or asafety lockout hasp extends around a portion of the first strap whilebeing coupled to the end of the adjusting mechanism.
 19. The panelboardguard assembly of claim 18, wherein the portion of the first strap is atab defined by an aperture through which the at least one of a safetylockout padlock or safety lockout hasp extends around.
 20. Thepanelboard guard assembly of claim 1, wherein the adjusting mechanismincludes a shaft with a series of holes located along the shaft andspaced apart from each other in an incremental arrangement, the holesbeing sized such that at least one of a safety lockout padlock or asafety lockout hasp can extend through the holes.
 21. A method forrestricting access to a panelboard, the method comprising: securing afirst outer end of a first strap of a panelboard guard assembly to afirst edge of a cover of the panelboard; securing a second outer end ofa second strap of the panelboard guard assembly to a second edge of acover of the panelboard, the panelboard guard assembly extending acrossan access door defined in the cover of the panelboard; coupling a firstinner end of the first strap to a second inner end of the second strapvia an adjustment mechanism coupled to both inner ends; and adjustingthe adjustment mechanism to substantially remove slack in the panelboardguard assembly extending across the access door followed by locking theadjustment mechanism via a safety lockout mechanism.
 22. The methodclaim 21, wherein the lockout mechanism is at least one of a safetylockout padlock or a safety lockout hasp.
 23. The method of claim 21,wherein the securing the outer ends to the respective edges includesextending a portion of the outer ends behind the panelboard cover at theedges.
 24. The method of claim 21, wherein adjusting the adjustmentmechanism to substantially remove slack in the panelboard guard assemblyincludes rotating the adjustment mechanism relative to the second strap.25. The method of claim 21, wherein adjusting the adjustment mechanismto substantially remove slack in the panelboard guard assembly includessliding the adjustment mechanism relative to the second strap.
 26. Amethod for shipping a panelboard guard assembly, the method comprising:gathering a first strap having a first rotatable attachment structureattached to a first outer end, a second strap having a second rotatableattachment structure attached to a second outer end, and an adjustingmechanism; rotating the first and the second attachment structures to asubstantially parallel orientation respectively with the first and thesecond straps; placing the first and second straps in a shippingcontainer; shipping the shipping container.
 27. The method of claim 26,wherein the shipping container is tube-shaped.
 28. The method of claim26, wherein rotating the first and second attachment structures includessecuring the first and second attachment structures in the substantiallyparallel orientation respectively with the first and second straps. 29.The method of claim 26, wherein placing the first and second straps inthe shipping container includes coupling the first and second strapstogether.